California's Water Crisis

California is experiencing a serious drought. 2013 was the driest year in our state’s recorded history and reservoirs are below average. Almost 99% of California is considered abnormally dry or worse; almost two-thirds of the state is in extreme drought.

Governor Brown recently declared a statewide drought emergency and urged residents to reduce water consumption by 20%. Additionally, my colleagues in the State Assembly and I have worked to develop a water bond proposal for the November 2014 ballot. The bond includes funding for improving drinking water quality, protecting rivers and watersheds, improving the reliability of clean water delivery, protecting the state’s Delta water system, and funding storage projects that will protect us from future droughts. This bond proposal is a responsible approach to addressing California’s water crisis.

As state lawmakers work to place the bond before voters, residents must also do their part to reduce water consumption. It’s imperative that we all work together to conserve California water. None of us can afford to waste it.

For detailed water conservation tips, visit www.saveourh2o.org. You can also contact my office to learn more.